Open AccessReflections on Paratextual Markers and Graphic Devices in Ur III Administrative Documents
Author(s) -
Christina Tsouparopoulou
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
textual cultures
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1933-7418
pISSN - 1559-2936
DOI - 10.14434/tc.v8i2.13276
Subject(s) - inscribed figure , reading (process) , interpretation (philosophy) , information retrieval , blank , cuneiform , raster graphics , computer science , world wide web , natural language processing , history , linguistics , artificial intelligence , engineering , mathematics , philosophy , ancient history , mechanical engineering , geometry , programming language
Mining 15,000 cuneiform inscribed clay documents, albeit with about 10 lines of text each, this article discusses elements appearing on these tablets beyond text which accentuated in a visual way the structure of the documents and usually aided or, in some instances, obscured their reading and subsequent interpretation. These paratextual markers and graphic devices are left-edge inscriptions, rulings, blank spaces, and sealings that added information not available from the text alone.